Journey's End with Jordan Hughes - 28-05-26

JOURNEY’S END – NIPA RACE REPORTS – SECTIONS C, D, F, & G

JOHN J MCCABE ‘FINESSE’S’ THE COMPETION FROM GRENAGH

 As the weeks are flying in, so is the racing calendar. This week the mighty NIPA were further down the country in County Cork. With it being an unsettled weekend ahead the race was rescheduled for Thursday race marking for a release on Friday. A total of 553 NIPA Members sent 15,833 Birds to Grenagh for the fifth race of the NIPA Old Bird Season. Friday morning the 15^th of May the birds were liberated at 10:30hrs in a Northerly Wind.

The Winning Bird from the fifth Old Bird Race of the 2026 NIPA Season belongs to John J McCabe of Newry & District HPS in Section G.

John J. McCabe 1st Open NIPA Grenagh from 15,833 birds pictured is John's Grandchildren Eimhear, Fionn & Lorcan

The Armagh Road flyer has topped the NIPA from Grenagh. The 1^st Open winning pigeon has been named ‘Miss Finesse’ and clocked the winning velocity of 1423.1YPM. GB25 A 62456 is a blue yearling hen and is bred down from the best of his Leo Van Rijn blood and Stefan Lambrechts via Ian Gibb. Pictured is 3 of John’s grandchildren Eimhear, Fionn and Lorcan proudly displaying granda’s 1st Open Winner ‘Miss Finesse’

'Miss Finesse' 1st Open NIPA Grenagh from 15,833birds

Many Congratulations to John J McCabe on Winning 1^st NIPA Open Grenagh 15,833 birds.

 Also, Congratulations to 2^nd Open Winner William Chambers of Newry & District HPS in Section G.

And Congratulations to 3^rd Open Winner O&M Monaghan of Colin HPS in Section D

NIPA GRENAGH TOP 20 OPEN RESULT

1^st (1G) JOHN J. MCCABE, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1423; 2^nd (2G) WILLIAM CHAMBERS, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1420; 3^rd (1D) O&M MONAGHAN, COLIN 1417; 4^th (1E) D. MAWHINNEY & SON, BEECH PARK SOCIAL 1415; 5^th (2D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1414; 6^th (3D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1414; 7^th (4D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1413; 8^th (3G) S. OGLE, DRUMNAVADY 1413; 9^th (4G) S. DELANEY, HARMONY 1410; 10^th (1C) MR&MRS REID & BIGGER, CARRICK SOCIAL 1410; 11^th (5G) MCGRATH & MCPARLAND, DRUMNAVADY 1410; 12^th (6G) J.F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1408; 13^th (7G) J.F MCCABE & SON, NEWRY & DISTRICT 1408; 14^th (8G) S. DELANEY, HARMONY 1408; 15^th (5D) J. GREGORY & SONS, COLIN 1408; 16^th (6D) S G BRIGGS, LISBURN & DISTRICT 1407; 17^th (7D) J. TURNER, HARMONY 1405; 18^th (8D) M. RUSSELL, DROMARA 1404; 19^th (2C) D&J ARMSTRONG & SON, CARRICK SOCIAL 1404; 20^th (9G) MCGRATH & MCPARLAND, DRUMNAVADY 1403

SECTION C REPORT

The Winner of Section C (86/2,453) from Grenagh was Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger of Carrick Social HPS. Hugh takes top spot in his club (191 Birds) and also is rewarded with winning first prize winner in Section C (2,453 Birds) overall in the NIPA Open placings Hugh obtained a 10^th prize finish from Grenagh (15,833 Birds). The Section C Winner GB25 C 19215 is a yearling roundabout cock having only his 4^th race ever. Reason being is Hugh doesn’t do darkness system anymore. So he got two races as a youngbird and two this year. He is bred down from Mr Gibb his 2^nd Open Yearling National Cock being Lambrecht when paired to a Lambrecht hen of Ian Gibb.

Hugh Bigger Section C Winner

Congratulations to Section C Winners Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger and Congratulations to all Club Winners

Ballycarry & District: (7/145): 1^st J. Robinson 1313; 2^nd J. Robinson 1309; 3^rd J C Reid 1307; 4^th J C Reid 1306; 5^th W. Degnan & T. McKee 1299; 6^th S. Beattie & Dtr 1294

Joe Robinson Ballycarry & District Winner two wins in a row

Ballyclare & District: (12/441): 1^st Higginson & Fasciola 1315; 2^nd A&T Agnew 1315; 3^rd G&R Lawrie 1308; 4^th A&T Agnew 1306; 5^th A&T Agnew 1306; 6^th G&R Lawrie 1305

Higginson & Fasciola Ballyclare & District Winners

Carrick Social: (7/191): 1^st Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger 1410; 2^nd D&J Armstrong & Son 1404; 3^rd G. Robinson 1400; 4^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1398; 5^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1391; 6^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1391

Doagh & District: (11/356): 1^st D&J Campbell 1383; 2^nd D&J Campbell 1377; 3^rd D&J Campbell 1348; 4^th D&J Campbell 1345; 5^th A&N Lewis 1339; 6^th N. McAllister 1339

D&J Campbell Doagh & District HPS Winners.

Glenarm & District: (7/159): 1^st G. McWhirter 1260; 2^nd G. McWhirter 1257; 3^rd McMullan Bros 1256; 4^th G. McWhirter 1244; 5^th McMullan Bros 1240; 6^th McMullan Bros 1230

George McWhirter Glenarm & District HPS. Winner

Kingsmoss: (8/143): 1^st W. Gault & Son 1341; 2^nd W. Gault & Son 1284; 3^rd W. Gault & Son 1282; 4^th Knowles & Hill 1279; 5^th R&C Johnston 1268; 6^th R&C Johnston 1261

W. Gault & Son Kingsmoss Winners

Larne & District: (16/434): 1^st K&D Hagans 1331; 2^nd C. Campbell 1321; 3^rd C. Campbell 1320; 4^th K&D Hagans 1314; 5^th K&D Hagans 1314; 6^th Crawford & Robinson 1314

K&D Hagans Larne & District HPS Winners.

Ligoniel & District: (11/306): 1^st Bingham & Seaton & Dowie 1381; 2^nd W. O’Boyle 1353; 3^rd C. McManus 1347; 4^th B&K Mullan 1333; 5^th McMurray & Anderson 1328; 6^th C. McManus 1327

Ligoniel & District Winning pigeon Bingham,Seaton&Dowie

West End: (2/70): 1^st J&D Braniff 1347; 2^nd J&D Braniff 1346; 3^rd D. McElhone & Dtr 1324; 4^th D. McElhone & Dtr 1319; 5^th J&D Braniff 1314; 6^th J&D Braniff 1310

J&D Braniff West End H.P.S. Winners

East Antrim Amalgamation

Grenagh 15/5/26

Another stiff test for the convoy out of Grenagh this week as north west winds prevailed testing every loft along the line. It was Hugh Bigger & indeed the Carrick club who dominated the result taking the top 7 positions. Hugh’s winner this week finishing 1st sec c & 10th open NIPA is coming down of his ace in the pack national cock lines (son national cock x Lambrechts hen from Ian Gibb)

So another super performance, one that Hugh himself said he was surprised with as the cock in question only had 2 ybs races and this was only his 2nd old bird race. Hugh says with Arsenal winning the league at the weekend to he’s in great form and wants to buy beers for everyone. Good man yourself. Good luck to you all racing this week in the Derby & comeback races respectively

Jonny Baxter EAA Press Officer

East Antrim Amalgamation Result: 1^st Mr & Mrs Reid & Bigger 1410; 2^nd D&J Armstrong & Son 1404; 3^rd G. Robinson 1400; 4^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1398; 5^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1391; 6^th D&J Armstrong & Son 1385; 7^th Mr&Mrs Reid & Bigger 1383; 8^th D&J Campbell 1377; 9^th D&J Campbell 1369; 10^th G. Robinson 1350; 11^th G. Robinson 1348; 12^th D&J Campbell 1345; 13^th D&J Campbell 1341; 14^th W. Gault & Son 1339; 15^th A&N Lewis 1339; 16^th N. McAllister 1339; 17^th D&J Campbell 1338; 18^th G. McKenna 1338; 19^th K&D Hagans 1331; 20^th D&J Campbell 1329

59 Members Sent 1,655 Birds

SECTION D REPORT

The Winner of Section D (57/1,876) from Grenagh was O&M Monaghan of Colin HPS. The Monaghan’s topped their club of Colin (241 Birds) the lads also clocked the winning velocity in Section D this weekend (1,876 Birds) they topped off a great days racing by achieving a fantastic result in winning 3^rd Open NIPA (15,833 Birds) GB25 S 31071 is a yearling Lambrecht/Pitbull cross. Her parents are excellent breeders. One sister is a section winner from Fermoy and has 12 NIPA open prizes, another sister a club winner and she has 15 NIPA open prizes. Another sister was old bird of the year in section D last year. This section winner herself was also1st club, 2^nd section from the first Kilbeggan this year. Sire is a Lambrecht from club mates John and Eamon Gregory and dam is Pitbull from P&D Stud via Jonny Fusco.

O&M Monaghan Section D Winner

Congratulations to Section D Winners Owen & Michael Monaghan and Congratulations to all Club Winners

Colin HPS: (9/241): 1^st O&M Monaghan 1417; 2^nd J. Gregory & Sons 1414; 3^rd J. Gregory & Sons 1414; 4^th J. Gregory & Sons 1413; 5^th J. Gregory & Sons 1408; 6^th J. Gregory & Sons 1396

Derriaghy: (4/142): 1^st K. Johnston 1343; 2^nd K. Johnston 1342; 3^rd K. Johnston 1324; 4^th K. Johnston 1323; 5^th K. Johnston 1313; 6^th K. Johnston 1312

Dromara HPS: (7/227): 1^st M. Russell 1404; 2^nd M. Russell 1347; 3^rd D. Aiken 1330; 4^th C. Rooney & Sons 1325; 5^th Russell Bros 1321; 6^th N. Edgar & Son 1318

Matthew Russell Dromara HPS Winner

Dromore HPS: (7/319): 1^st P&J Boal 1397; 2^nd R. Keegan & Son 1394; 3^rd Aiken Bros 1363; 4^th Mr&Mrs G. Delaney 1361; 5^th P&J Boal 1360; 6^th Aiken Bros 1353

P&J Boal Dromore HPS Winners

Glenavy & District: (6/202): 1^st I. Gibb & Sons 1381; 2^nd I. Gibb & Sons 1379; 3^rd I. Gibb & Sons 1323; 4^th I. Gibb & Sons 1308; 5^th I. Gibb & Sons 1308; 6^th I. Gibb & Sons 1302

Ian Gibb & Sons Glenavy & District HPS Winners

Harmony HPS: (12/394): 1^st S. Delaney 1410; 2^nd S. Delaney 1408; 3^rd J. Turner 1405; 4^th J. Turner 1399; 5^th J. Turner 1395; 6^th S. Delaney 1391

Steven Delaney Harmony H.P.S. Winner

Hillsborough & Maze: (5/329): 1^st I. Rollins & Son 1368; 2^nd I. Rollins & Son 1364; 3^rd J. Greenaway 1360; 4^th J. Kelly & Sons 1359; 5^th J. Greenaway 1359; 6^th J. Greenaway 1354

Lisburn & District: (13/352): 1^st S G Briggs 1407; 2^nd H. Mackin 1337; 3^rd Smyth & Adams 1331; 4^th R. Topping & Son 1329; 5^th R. Topping & Son 1326; 6^th R. Topping & Son 1326

S G Briggs Lisburn & District H.P.S Winners

South Belfast HPS: D/S

Titanic HPS: D/S

Trinity HPS: (5/150): 1^st P&K McCarthy 1397; 2^nd J&L Smyth 1378; 3^rd P&K McCarthy 1367; 4^th J&L Smyth 1363; 5^th J&L Smyth 1350; 6^th J&L Smyth 1350

SECTION F REPORT

The Winner of Section F (69/1,778) from Grenagh was Gordon Bros & Sons of Cloughey HPS. The Gordon’s take the top 2 prizes in Cloughey HPS (174 birds) and add a Section Winner for 2026 from the fifth old bird race of the year (1,778 Birds) overall the section winner won 89^th NIPA Open Grenagh (15,833 birds) The Gordon’s Section F Winner IHU24 N 00165 is a bred from their best long distance bloodlines. Her father ‘Mark of Steel’ won 48^th Kings Cup 2023, 112^th Kings Cup 2022, merit award winner 2023. The hens half brother won 14^th Kings Cup 2024.

Gordon Bros & Sons Section F Winners

Congratulations to Section F Winners Gordon Bors & Sons and Congratulations to all Club Winners.

Annalong: (1/21): 1^st K. Rooney & Son 1362; 2^nd K. Rooney & Son 1345; 3^rd K. Rooney & Son 1338; 4^th K. Rooney & Son 1334; 5^th K. Rooney & Son 1334; 6^th K. Rooney & Son 1318

Bangor RPC: (10/294): 1^st Burgess & Brennan 1334; 2^nd Burgess & Brennan 1334; 3^rd R. Moore & Son 1322; 4^th J&I Moore 1306; 5^th Lambert & Stewart 1303; 6^th R. Moore & Son 1290

Burgess & Brennan Bangor R.P.C. Winners

Cloughey HPS: (8/174): 1^st Gordon Bros & Sons 1365; 2^nd Gordon Bros & Sons 1334; 3^rd J&R Young 1326; 4^th C&H Cully 132s; 5^th M. Adair 1320; 6^th J&R Young 1310

Comber Central HPS: (3/52): 1^st W&L Robinson 1312; 2^nd W&L Robinson 1272; 3^rd W&L Robinson 1261; 4^th W&L Robinson 1257; 5^th G. Marshall 1234; 6^th W&L Robinson 1218

Corrigs: D/S

Crossgar: (7/265): 1^st McCartan & Woodside 1362; 2^nd D. Grieves 1351; 3^rd McCartan & Woodside 1346; 4^th McCartan & Woodside 1346; 5^th D. Grieves 1344; 6^th McCartan & Woodside 1344

McCartan & Woodside Crossgar Winners

Downpatrick Premier: (13/380): 1^st D. McNabb 1358; 2^nd D. McNabb 1357; 3^rd T&G Black 1330; 4^th T&G Black 1329; 5^th S. Milligan & Dtr 1327; 6^th S. Milligan & Dtr 1326

Killyleagh Central: (8/175): Irvine Bros 1358; 2^nd Irvine Bros 1343; 3^rd Irvine Bros 1343; 4^th K. Murray 1307; 5^th K. Murray 1298; 6^th Irvine Bros 1284

Kircubbin: D/S

Millisle & District HPS: (9/178): 1^st R. Strain & Son 1261; 2^nd R. Strain & Son 1246; 3^rd A&E Muckle 1235; 4^th R. Strain & Son 1232; 5^th J. Rankin 1329; 6^th J. Rankin 1217

Rory & Jack Strain Winners of Milisle & District

Newtownards HPS: (6/81): 1^st J. Adair 1314; 2^nd W. Leckey 1311; 3^rd J. Adair 1284; 4^th A. Mayne 1252; 5^th J. Adair 1249; 6^th J. Orr 1235

SECTION G REPORT

The Winner of Section G (48/2,128) from Grenagh was John J. McCabe of Newry & District HPS. (See opening report for more info) J J had the best outcome from Grenagh Winning 1^st Club (628 Birds) Winning 1^st Section G (2,128 Birds) and Winning 1^st NIPA Open (15,833 Birds)

Congratulations to Section G Winner John J. McCabe and Congratulations to all Club Winners.

Ballyholland: (7/390): 1^st C. O’Hare & Dtr 1396; 2^nd C. O’Hare & Dtr 1396; 3^rd C. O’Hare & Dtr 1377; 4^th O. Markey 1368; 5^th O. Markey 1366; 6^th O. Markey 1362

Cormac O'Hare & Dtr Winners of Ballyholland H.P.S

Banbridge HPS: (8/261): 1^st F. Simpson 1402; 2^nd R. Carson & Son 1381; 3^rd E. McAlinden 1375; 4^th F. Simpson 1369; 5^th F. Simpson 1347; 6^th McCracken Bros 1329

Drumnavady: (11/351): 1^st S. Ogle 1413; 2^nd McGrath & McParland 1410; 3^rd McGrath & McParland 1403; 4^th D&K Mallen 1399; 5^th W. McDowell & Son 1398; 6^th S. Ogle 1384      

Sammy Ogle Drumnavady HPS Winner

Millvale: (4/162): 1^st T. Mooney & Son 1378; 2^nd T. Mooney & Son 1310; 3^rd N. Murtagh 1297; 4^th N. Murtagh 1291; 5^th N. Murtagh 1288; 6^th N. Murtagh 1275

Tommy Mooney & Son Winners of Millvale H.P.S 

Newry City: (3/144): 1^st Thompson & Lunn 1344; 2^nd Donnelly Bros 1300; 3^rd Donnelly Bros 1294; 4^th Donnelly Bros 1285; 5^th Donnelly Bros 1280; 6^th Thompson & Lunn 1269

Thompson & Lunn Newry City Winners

Newry & District: (12/628): 1^st John J McCabe 1423; 2^nd W. Chambers 1420; 3^rd J F McCabe & Son 1408; 4^th J F McCabe & Son 1408; 5^th J. McParland 1398; 6^th J. McParland 1396

NIPA NEWS

Drumnavaddy INHPS Nomination Race Winners J. Gregory & Son pictured with their winning hen, a yearling raced on the roundabout system. She was previously a prizewinner from the Skibbereen Young Bird National, and this season she has raced with great consistency, being in the clock 4 times from 5 races. In the NIPA Grenagh race against 15,833 birds, she achieved: 3rd Section D, 6th Open while also winning the nomination race. Her sire is a full brother to our NIPA Skibbereen YB National winner and was himself a top performer, winning 5th National INFC Skibbereen. The dam was bred by clubmate Johnny Fusco from his renowned P&D stud stock.

 Could all club representatives/race secretaries within my covered sections of C, D, F & G to contact myself to be included in my weekly NIPA race Reports, with Club, Section & Open Winning photos, along with the winning pigeon’s info etc.

Yours in Sport ,

 Jordan Hughes

N.I.P.A. Press Officer

‘JOURNEYS END’

 N.I.P.A PRESS OFFICER

Mobile:  07713808554

Email:  jordanhughespro.gmail.com

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